NEWAYGO COUNTY, Mich. — Newaygo County Emergency Services (NCES) has issued a State of Emergency as a flood warning continues for the Muskegon River and widespread flooding issues continue across the county.

All public river access sites along the Muskegon River below Croton are closed due to unsafe conditions, public river access sites along the White River near the Hesperia Dam are also closed.

In addition to the food warning for the whole county, areas near the White River below the Hesperia Dam are under a flash flood watch.

First of all, if you are in any of the areas under a watch or warning, you need to be prepared to evacuate. NCES said the situation is developing rapidly, and residents should keep an eye out for rapidly changing water levels. Residents within the areas may be directed to evacuate. However, if you feel threatened by rising waters, DO NOT WAIT for an evacuation directive.

WHAT IS HAPPENING ALONG THE WHITE RIVER?

According to NCES, local officials are reporting a rapidly rising water level on the White River in Hesperia. They said water is currently flowing over the spillway of the Hesperia Dam and may soon begin overtopping the dam itself. They also reported that water is already impacting the structure of the Division Street bridge upstream of the dam.

WHAT TO EXPECT ALONG THE WHITE RIVER?

Residents in this area should monitor forecasts and be prepared to take action in case the flash flood watch is upgraded to a warning. NCES said dam safety experts with state and local emergency services are monitoring the dam and will issue a public statement as conditions warrant. If you live in this area you should PLAN NOW so you can move quickly in case of an emergency. You can keep informed by listening to local radio and television for statements and possible warnings. Be sure to follow the advice of public safety officials.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR EVACUATION IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:

The following list should be followed ONLY IF YOU HAVE TIME, in order to give you and your home the best chance of surviving a flood. In case of an immediate emergency, PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFE and EVACUATE.

• Shut and lock all windows and doors
• Gather and elevate important documents, belongings, furniture, and other priceless items including pictures, irreplaceable mementos, and other valuables.
• Check your emergency preparedness kit and store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate. This includes prescription medications
• Prepare to unplug appliances and turn off your main breaker in your homes electrical box if you need to evacuate

• Gather up items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, grills, etc.)
• Strap down propane tanks
• Prepare to turn off propane tanks if you need to evacuate
• Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle
• Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you
• Don’t wait for an evacuation directive if you feel threatened
• Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave

• Locate your pets and keep them nearby
• Check your emergency preparedness kit for your pets and store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate
• If you need to evacuate, take your pets with you

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown
• Avoid walking or driving through flood waters
• Do not drive over bridges that are over fast-moving floodwaters. Floodwaters can scour foundation material from around the footings and make the bridge unstable
• Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away
• If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water

WHAT IS HAPPENING ALONG THE MUSKEGON RIVER?

NCES explained they use three streamgages to determine the river levels. As of about 3 p.m. on Wednesday, they reported the following:

• MINOR FLOOD STAGE: USGS Croton Streamgage was at 10.45 feet with flows at 9,860 cubic feet per second. Flood stage is at 9.0 feet
• USGS Newaygo Streamgage was at 13.23 feet with flows at 8,900 cubic feet per second. Flood stage is at 11.0 feet
• USGS Bridgeton Streamgage was at 14.41 feet with flows at 7,870 cubic feet per second. Flood stage is at 13.0 feet

WHAT TO EXPECT ALONG THE MUSKEGON RIVER?

The Muskegon River is expected to see MAJOR FLOODING, according to NCES. River levels are forecasted to crest on Friday, April 17 through Saturday, April 18.

NCES shared the following list of what residents should prepare for:

• Expect flooding conditions similar to if not a little worse than the February 2018 Flood
• Expect power to be disconnected to areas with flood inundation if river levels reach over 11.0 Feet at Croton, 15.0 Feet at Newaygo, and 17.0 Feet at Bridgeton
• Expect Bridge Street Bridge in the City of Newaygo to be closed if river levels reach over 14.0 Feet at Newaygo
• Expect Maple Island Bridge to be closed if river levels rach over 17.0 Feet at Bridgeton

HERE IS THE RIVER FORECAST CENTER’S LATEST FORECAST FOR THE MUSKEGON RIVER:

The Muskegon River at Croton is expected to crest Friday evening (04/17/2026) at 

• Moderate Flood Stage of 11.40 Feet at Croton (matching the 2018 Flood)
  • Minor Flood Stage is at 9.0 Feet
  • Moderate Flood Stage is at 11.0 Feet
  • Major Flood Stage at 12.0 Feet with the closure of Bridge Street Bridge and Maple Island Bridge

The River below Newaygo is expected to crest on Saturday, April 18th in the early morning hours at

• Major Flood Stage and setting a record of 16.60 Feet at Newaygo (previous record was 15.1 Feet set on 02/21/2018)
  • Minor Flood Stage is at 11.0 Feet
  • Moderate Flood Stage is at 14.0 Feet
  • Major Flood Stage is at 15.0 Feet

The River at Bridgeton is expected to crest on Saturday, April 18th in the morning at

• Major Flood Stage and setting a record of 18.0 feet at Bridgeton (previous record was 16.8 Feet set on 02/21/2018)
  • Minor Flood Stage is at 13.0 Feet
  • Moderate Flood Stage is at 16.0 Feet
  • Major Flood Stage is at 17.0 Feet

You can check current water levels at water.noaa.gov/wfo/grr.

• Anticipate the following areas to be impacted by flood waters on the Muskegon River
  • Leisure Land Subdivision in Bridgeton Township
  • Sycamore Flats in Ashland Township
  • 100th Ave in Ashland Township
  • Old Women’s Bend in Garfield Township
  • Anderson Flat’s in Garfield Township
  • Fright Hill in Bridgeton Township
  • Homesite Park in Bridgeton Township
  • River Ridge in Ashland Township
  • Bell Meadow Drive in Bridgeton Township
  • Devil’s Hole in Brooks Township
  • Sarrell Street in the City of Newaygo

The following roads are temporarily closed due to washouts/water over the roadway as of 3:00 p.m. Wednesday:

• Division Street Bridge (Maple Island Road) in the Village of Hesperia
• Lee Ave. south of Lake Dr. in Sheridan Township. Culvert failure
• Osborn Ave. south of 32nd St. in Dayton Township
• Ramshorn Dr. south of 32nd St. in Dayton Township
• Luce Ave. north of 32nd St. in Dayton/Sherman Township
• Comstock Ave. near Adams St. in Denver Township

• ONLY CALL 9-1-1 TO REPORT EMERGENCIES! Emergency operators and phone lines are needed to support this incident, please continue to monitor Nixle for updates or call 2-1-1 (not 9-1-1) for general safety information
• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED! Continue monitoring your radio, Nixle, and Newaygo ES’s Facebook Page for additional information
• THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

Continuing Information Will Be Released Via NIXLE

Newaygo County Emergency Services is coordinating with Consumers Energy and the National Weather Service Grand Rapids Office to actively monitor the changing conditions and communicate information out to residences impacted by the rising floodwaters. As the situation changes, additional information will be released by the Newaygo County Emergency Operations Center utilizing Nixle. Please visit nixle.com to register for alerts and view emergency information for where you live.